Lolita Lebron - (Center, sitting down)

by Dan Berger

July 4 in Puerto Rico was less a celebration of independence than a demand for it. That night, more than 100 people attended the closing event for Not Enough Space, an art show featuring the works of political prisoners Oscar López Rivera and Carlos Alberto Torres, as well as a replica of the small cells in which they have each spent almost 30 years.

The exhibit was housed at a community center in San Sebastián, which was on the same grounds where scores of vendors and artisans from around the island had come that very weekend to sell homemade hammocks, paintings, leather goods and other materials at the 29th annual Festival de la Hamaca. The first thing festival goers saw upon arrival was a giant banner proclaiming that Puerto Rico awaits the return of López and Torres.

The night before, festival planners awarded one of the island’s renowned linguist, Luz Nereida Pérez, for her work to study and preserve Spanish. She dedicated her award to López, saying the continued incarceration of this San Sebastián native “affects us all.” The town’s mayor, a supporter of Puerto Rican statehood, was one of several speakers at the July 4 finale; he too called for López’ freedom.

Five of the 11 political prisoners released in 1999 attended the closing event, as did the 102-year-old Isabel Rosado. For her lifetime involvement in the struggle for Puerto Rican independence, and in honor of the local artisans, event organizers presented the legendary activist with a hammock.

This event was not the first time that independence supporters gathered that week. Two nights before the closing, two dozen people gathered to hear Puerto Rican Cultural Center director José López speak about the beauty and the struggles of Puerto Rico. And on June 30, more than 150 people came to a wake in Mayagüez in memory of Miguel Sanchez, a shoemaker and longtime activist against the U.S. military presence in Vieques. Independentists from across the island, including Puerto Rican Socialist Party founder Juan Mari Bras, attended his wake and a celebration of his life the following evening. On July 4, Luis Rosa praised Sánchez as both a brilliant strategist and a tireless organizer.

These public events revealed a continuing push for the release of Puerto Rican political prisoners through a unified demand across Puerto Rican civil society. This unity succeeded in winning the unconditional release of one Puerto Rican Nationalist in 1977 and his four comrades in 1979. It won the freedom of 11 more prisoners in 1999. And it effectively removed the U.S. military from the island of Vieques in 2003. In interviews held during the week preceding the July 4 event, leading independence figures—Lolita Lebrón, Nelson Canals, Rita Zengotita, José Fortuño, and Juan Mari Bras, among others—each pointed to this unity of purpose as the reason for the movement’s successes in the past three decades. Such unity has repeatedly made the impossible inevitable.

Irmgard Iglesias lives in San Juan. During the 1970s, she lived in New York City and worked with a Puerto Rican organization called Resistancia Puertorriqueña. As we drove the two hours from San Sebastián to San Juan, Iglesias told me that she never thought the five Nationalists would get out of prison. To her delight they did, and it confirmed for her what she said she has always known: “I’ve never had any doubt that we will get our independence. I know we will be free.”

Dan Berger lives in Philadelphia and is the author of Outlaws of America: The Weather Underground and the Politics of Solidarity (AK Press, 2006).

Isabel Rosado (Green Shirt)

by Xavier “Xavi” Luis Burgos

In an e-mail sent by Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) President Sharon Hah’s on June 19, it was stated in a swift and inconsequential manner that “[The State of Illinois funded] $1.5 million for costs associated with facility renovations for the construction of a Latino Cultural Center….”

This event comes from the tireless contribution by State Senator Iris Martínez who stated on an historic meeting on May 1 organized by Latina/o student leaders at NEIU that “If I am going to continue to work hard for this institution… I want to make sure that Latinos are [being] catered to.” Now, finally, we, the Latina/o students of the university, have won, after years of being told there was never enough money, space, or time by many administrators!

This struggle began 27-years-ago with the university’s destruction of Albizu-Zapata Portable 1, a small, grassroots student-led space of Latina/o cultural and political affirmation. Fast forward to the present day and organizations like Que Ondee Sola (QOS) magazine alongside the Union for Puerto Rican Students (UPRS) and the Chican@ Mexican@ Latin@ Student Union (ChiMexLa) organizations have spearheaded this struggle with strong support from the Puerto Rican and Mexican communities of Chicago.

With members like Ruthy Venegas, Samuel Vega, Marcuz Erazo, Juan Morales, Jackie Nowotnik, Miosotis Santos and Joshua Cruz alongside Alpha Psi Lambda’s Stephanie Gómez, Jessica Urbina, and Vanesa Corado and the Movimiento Cultural Latino Americano (MCLA) organization this achievement was also made possible.

However, it must be stated that the struggle is not over. Complacency risks decreased funding for Proyecto Pa’Lante and Latino & Latin American Studies program (LLAS) every year. In QOS and in meeting after meeting we have made it a point to write and say “Latina/o Cultural & Resource Center” and not just a “Casa Latina” or anything else. This new space must include the vision that we as Latina/o students have placed out there, which includes the physical centralization of integral Latina/o-focused programs and student organizations. As we have stated before, QOS, UPRS, and the other Latina/o student leaders of NEIU must be at the table of planning and decision-making for this space – it is, after all, owned by the students of NEIU and no one else.

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On Saturday, May 9, U.S. Congressman Luis V. Gutiérrez (D-IL) concluded the first phase of a national effort to document the harm caused to U.S. citizens in the absence of a comprehensive immigration reform, in a rally held at the McCormick Place. Over 2,000 people were present to see “El Gallito” speak.

The rally called on President Barack Obama to act on his campaign promise to carryout immigration reform, recalling his acceptance speech at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. In his speech, Obama declared: “Passions fly on immigration, but I don’t know anyone who benefits when a mother is separated from her infant child.”

Joining Congressman Gutiérrez at the event where many prominent figures including Sen. Roland Burris, U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, Rev. Jessie Jackson, Rev. Freddy Santiago, Rev. Lynette Santiago, Rev. Shanahan, Rev. Wilfredo de Jesús, State Rep. Susana Mendoza, Commissioner Roberto Maldonado, Ald. Billy Ocasio, Ald. Manny Flores, Ald. Danny Solis, immigrant rights activists Juan Salgado, Josh Hoyt, Emma Lozano and labor leader Tom Belanoff.

In his passionate and insightful speech, Gutiérrez referenced several times Dr. Martin Luther King’s famous “Letter from the Birmingham Jail,” drawing on important lessons of the Civil Rights struggle for justice. The Congressman concluded with the following appeal: “Though we have only just passed the first 100 days of the Obama administration, it is the 11th hour for our immigrant community, and there is no time to waste.”[/lang_en]

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On Thursday, February 5, Latino Clergy from across the city came together to announce they would no longer be attending any business or social functions hosted by the City of Chicago. This action was prompted by a growing frustration with city officials over their failure to proportionally include Latinos in key government decisions in accordance their growing population and prominence in the city.

“Latinos will not be sold for $7.99. We don’t want some bacon and eggs, we want a piece of the pie,” stated Reverend Wilfredo de Jesus, of New Life Covenant Church in Humboldt Park in reference to the frequent breakfasts city officials have hosted to pander to Latino leaders.

This effort is supported by Latino Alderman such as Alderman Billy Ocasio and has received the written support of several Latino State Senators and Representatives.[/lang_en]

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Alejandra Burrows

After nearly five years of independent research, Dr. Rafael Diaz (San Francisco State University) and Dr. Jesus Ramirez-Valles (University of Illinois-Chicago) presented on the pejorative stereotypes and stigmas against Puerto Rican/Latino gay men before 100 people at Paseo Boricua’s La Estancia. On Wednesday January 28, the forum “Hermanos de Luna y Sol: Addressing Stigma and Promoting Community Involvement as HIV Prevention for Gay Latino Men” was sponsored by Vida/SIDA and other community agencies including, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Orgullo en Acción, ALMA and Project CRYSP.

Although the research and results conducted and concluded by both men were similar, their individual portions of the presentation were different and discussed complimentary topics related to human sexuality, HIV/AIDS and high-risk behavior within the context of Latino culture and Latino communities in the United States. Dr. Diaz addressed the residual presence of socio-political discrimination despite efforts made by Latino communities to develop outreach programs, advocacy services and HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness initiatives. From this dialogue the notion of resilience and the factors that sustain individual and community challenges to bigotry and disenfranchisement were discussed within the context of Diaz’s research. Following Diaz’s presentation, Dr. Valles went on to discuss the role of immigration, gentrification and machismo in the context of Chicago and its Puerto Rican/ Latino communities to conclude the forum.

The event also featured dinner, catered by Nellie’s Restaurant and a performance by the LGBT students from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos Puerto Rican High School and the Bomba y Plena group, Nuestro Tambo. A welcome was given by Dr. David Munar (Vice President, AIDS Foundation of Chicago) and Dr. Roberto Sanabria (Board Member of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center), on behalf of Vida/SIDA and AIDS Foundation of Chicago.

Vida/SIDA was very happy to collaborate in this important event and looks forward for many more on these important issues.[/lang_en]

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On Saturday, December 13, a delegation from Chicago which included the Rev. Wilfredo de Jesus, Pastor of New Life Covenant Church, Alderman Billy Ocasio, Chairman of the Chicago City Council Human Relations Committee, Emma Lozano, President of Centro Sin Fronteras, and José E. López, Executive Director of the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, met with distinguished elected officials and clergy from New York and New Jersey.

The purpose of this meeting, which was hosted by Assemblyman José Rivera at Hostos Community College, was to discuss the campaign to stop the raids, deportations and separation of families due to broken US immigration laws. During this historic gathering, the Chicago delegation presented the model developed by Congressman Luis Gutierrez. The model includes hosting in local churches town hall meetings focused on immigration reform and enlisting US citizens to petition for their undocumented loved ones. These petitions are to be presented to President Elect Barack Obama by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus to remind him of his commitment to address the issue of immigration reform within the first 100 days of his administration.

The following prominent clergy, lay leaders and elected officials participated actively in the event: Bishop Dr. Hector Bonano, Bishop D. Timothy Burkett, Rev. Michael Carrion, Rev. Daniel Delgado, Chaplain Ray Fraticelli, Rev. N. J. L’ Heureux Jr., Rev. Ephraim Rivera, Rev. Miguel Rivera, Rev. Dr. Raymond Rivera, Rev. Joshua Rodriguez, Bishop Angelo Rosario, and Rev. Gabriel Salguero. Local elected officials included State Assemblyman Peter Rivera, Maria Rodriguez, Representative of Bronx Assemblyman Nelson Castro, and Melissa Mark Viverito, District 8 Councilwoman. Civic leaders included Jasmine Calvasquin, Daniel Figueroa III Esq, Ralph Morales, Charles Orvall, Dion Powell, and Joel Ray Rivera.

An ad-hoc coordinating committee was created to plan a January 10th, 2009 town hall meeting in New York, similar to one carried out in Chicago. Furthermore, the committee will strategize future work.[/lang_en]

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A seven-year collaboration between DePaul and the Puerto Rican Cultural Center (PRCC) in Humboldt Park earned top honors from Illinois Campus Compact when it was named winner of the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Partnership Foundation Award.
The Irwin W. Steans Center for the community-based Service Learning and the PRCC will share the award’s  $15,000 purse and continue addressing jointly critical health, social and cultural issues affecting Puerto Rican and Latino communities. “The creation and maintenance of a true partnership between a university and a community is an exercise in listening, planning and mutual respect,” says Howard Rosing, Steans’ executive director. That approach was validated by a selection committee of higher education, business, government and community leaders who recognized the beneficial relationship it sustained as they reviewed applications from 14 Illinois Campus Compact members vying for the prestigious Carter Award.

Illinois Campus Compact consists of 42 universities, colleges and their presidents, who are highly committed to service-learning and civic engagement. It’s the state’s affiliate for a national coalition of more than 1,100 institutions that put these values into action.[/lang_en]

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For several months, Bronx Democratic Party Chairman José Rivera’s legacy has been slandered by two elected officials who have revealed themselves as self-promoters, with no regard for the truth, or the welfare of the people of the Bronx. These elected officials have been so desperate for the control of the Bronx Democratic Party leadership that they have callously portrayed Jose Rivera as anti-black.

When Assemblyman Rivera voted in favor of gay marriage, Reverend Díaz and Assemblyman Díaz Jr. vowed to take revenge. Long time homophobes, the Díazes, are subjecting Assemblyman José Rivera to callous and racially divisive attacks, discrediting themselves in the process.

For the last three decades Assemblyman José Rivera has worked relentlessly as a street activist for the people of the Bronx struggling for jobs, better housing and social justice. A longtime member of the Carpenters’ Union, Assemblyman Rivera is a champion of the working class. In 1975 he founded the United Tremont Trades, and secured jobs for Latino, African-American and White workers in the Bronx. In 1980, the attention of the entire world focused on the inhumane conditions of the South Bronx, through José Rivera’s now legendary “People’s Convention” on Charlotte Street.

Assemblyman Rivera continues to advocate for every development in the Bronx to be built by our construction trade unions. Yankees Stadium was the most recent development where José Rivera has demonstrated his commitment to union labor by demanding union construction and jobs. His efforts have led to thousands of good paying jobs for people of all races and ethnicities.

Yet a lifetime of service and leadership and solidarity with working people has not immunized José Rivera from the effects of a smear campaign engineered by a group of ruthless elected officials. Despite their attempts to destroy José Rivera’s legacy, on September 28th, at the Utopia Paradise Theatre, Bronx Democrats showed their appreciation for José Rivera’s contributions to the people of the Bronx by arriving by feet, car, train and buses to cast their vote. Despite the lies and media attacks, Bronx Democrats made their voices heard and overwhelmingly voted to re-elect Jose Rivera Chairman of the Bronx Democratic Party.

The same unscrupulous elected officials are now challenging the re-election of José Rivera in court.

For more info: Jasmine Clavasquin at ms.jasminclavasquin@gmail.com.[/lang_es][lang_en]

For several months, Bronx Democratic Party Chairman José Rivera’s legacy has been slandered by two elected officials who have revealed themselves as self-promoters, with no regard for the truth, or the welfare of the people of the Bronx. These elected officials have been so desperate for the control of the Bronx Democratic Party leadership that they have callously portrayed Jose Rivera as anti-black.

When Assemblyman Rivera voted in favor of gay marriage, Reverend Díaz and Assemblyman Díaz Jr. vowed to take revenge. Long time homophobes, the Díazes, are subjecting Assemblyman José Rivera to callous and racially divisive attacks, discrediting themselves in the process.

For the last three decades Assemblyman José Rivera has worked relentlessly as a street activist for the people of the Bronx struggling for jobs, better housing and social justice. A longtime member of the Carpenters’ Union, Assemblyman Rivera is a champion of the working class. In 1975 he founded the United Tremont Trades, and secured jobs for Latino, African-American and White workers in the Bronx. In 1980, the attention of the entire world focused on the inhumane conditions of the South Bronx, through José Rivera’s now legendary “People’s Convention” on Charlotte Street.

Assemblyman Rivera continues to advocate for every development in the Bronx to be built by our construction trade unions. Yankees Stadium was the most recent development where José Rivera has demonstrated his commitment to union labor by demanding union construction and jobs. His efforts have led to thousands of good paying jobs for people of all races and ethnicities.

Yet a lifetime of service and leadership and solidarity with working people has not immunized José Rivera from the effects of a smear campaign engineered by a group of ruthless elected officials. Despite their attempts to destroy José Rivera’s legacy, on September 28th, at the Utopia Paradise Theatre, Bronx Democrats showed their appreciation for José Rivera’s contributions to the people of the Bronx by arriving by feet, car, train and buses to cast their vote. Despite the lies and media attacks, Bronx Democrats made their voices heard and overwhelmingly voted to re-elect Jose Rivera Chairman of the Bronx Democratic Party.

The same unscrupulous elected officials are now challenging the re-election of José Rivera in court.

For more info: Jasmine Clavasquin at ms.jasminclavasquin@gmail.com.[/lang_en]

On Saturday, May 24, Ambiente del Paseo held a BBQ fundraiser to launch its new campaign, “Más Color, Más Poder.” Ambiente is a newly formed collective recently launched by the Puerto Rican Cultural Center as one of Humboldt Park’s first LGBTQ organizations. The “Más Color, Más Poder” campaign seeks to raise awareness about and combat homophobia and transphobia in the Humboldt Park community. The May 24 Fundraiser, held at La Casita de Don Pedro and dedicated to the memory of Eric Rice, was a huge success.

Nearly 100 attendees of all ages enjoyed the food, music, performances by contestants in the 2008 Cacica Pageant, raffles, and statements by prominent community members and other officials. José E. Lopez, Executive Director of the Juan Antonio Corretjer Puerto Rican Cultural Center, explained the historic nature of this event to the audience. While the Puerto Rican Cultural Center has a long history of supporting LGBTQ issues, homophobia and transphobia are continuing problems in the Humboldt Park community. The fact that this event was held outdoors at La Casita and attended by people of all ages, including many families, demonstrates the community support that Ambiente enjoys.

In her comments to the audience, Lourdes Lugo, Principal of Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School, spoke about the negative effects of homophobia and transphobia on the young people with whom she works. LGBTQ students are oftentimes the most likely to be rejected by their families and thus highly susceptible to dropping out. Rick Garcia, Political Director of Equality Illinois, celebrated the event’s success and reminded the audience of the passing of the non-discrimination bill in 2005, which prohibits discrimination in housing, employment, and public accommodations in the state of Illinois. The “Más Color, Más Poder” campaign will continue throughout 2008.

For more information about Ambiente del Paseo, contact Janeida Rivera at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center: Phone: 773.342.8023 Email: janeidar@prcc-chgo.org.

For the past two years, May 1st has been the day that thousands of people demand the rights of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. This May 1st, nearly 20,000 marched from Union Park to Downtown Chicago. Over 250 Puerto Ricans, including many youth from Dr. Pedro Albizu Campos High School, marched from Humboldt Park. The fleeter march began with a press conference at Adalberto Methodist Church on Paseo Boricua where undocumented mother Flor Crisostomo is in sanctuary.